ABC Classics wins at the 2017 ARIA Awards

11 October 2017

At a ceremony on Tuesday 10 October at the Art Gallery of NSW, ABC Classics & Jazz were announced winners of the 2017 ARIA Awards for Best Classical, Best Jazz, Best Original Soundtrack and Best Comedy albums. The ABC’s labels received an additional 5 nominations, bringing their total nominations for 2017 to 19 across 9 categories.

Guitarist Slava Grigoryan won the Award for Best Classical Album, for Bach Cello Suites Volume I. The album has already broken the record for the longest spell at number one for a classical album, spending 13 consecutive weeks at the top. It was a bumper year for Slava, with four albums nominated across three categories.

James Morrison was nominated twice for Best Jazz Album, with his Great American Songbook taking out the Award. Recorded at Abbey Road Studios in London, the album features the BBC Concert Orchestra, as well as Harry Morrison and William Morrison in the rhythm section.

The late John Clarke was a popular winner of Best Comedy Album for Clarke’s Classics, a programme originally recorded for ABC Classic FM. His wife Helen McDonald and daughter Lucia Clarke accepted the award on his behalf.

In Best Soundtrack Album, Nigel Westlake collected the award for his score for Ali’s Wedding. The album features Joseph Tawadros, Slava Grigoryan and Lior as guest artists, alongside the Sydney Symphony Orchestra conducted by the composer.

Natalie Waller, General Manager of ABC Music, said: “It’s a thrill that so many ABC artists are winners and nominees in this year’s ARIAs. As well as recognition in our key genres – including Classical, Jazz, Children’s, Soundtrack and Country – it’s particularly special for John Clarke’s years of collaboration with the ABC to be recognised with the Best Comedy Award. Congratulations to all the winners announced so far, and best of luck to everyone nominated for further awards!”